Everyone is familiar with bruises and usually never think much about them. You wake up with a bruise wondering, how did that get there? So what really is happening under the skin and at what point should you seek medical attention for a bruise?
When the soft tissues of the body experience mild trauma, the small veins and capillaries (the smallest blood vessels in your body) under the skin sometimes break, and red blood cells leak out. When blood pools under the skin, it causes black, blue, purple, brown, or yellow discoloration. There’s no external bleeding unless the skin breaks open. The size and severity of a bruise depend on how much force was applied during the injury.
What do the different colors of a bruise mean?
The different colors of a bruise indicate the age of the injury. As the body breaks down the red blood cells, the bruise changes color and is a natural part of the healing process. Here are the colors a typical bruise goes through and what it means:
Red
Bruises often begin as a red mark on the skin because fresh, oxygen-rich blood has pooled under the skin.
Blue, purple or black
After 1-2 days the blood that has leaked out begins to lose oxygen and change color. Depending on the size, location and severity of your bruise, it could appear shades of blue, purple or black.
Yellow or green
Between 5-10 days after the initial trauma your bruise will begin to turn a yellow or green shade. These colors are the result of the compounds biliverdin and bilirubin, which are produced when the body needs to break down hemoglobin (blood).
Yellowish-brown or light brown
This is the final stage of bruising and typically occurs between 10-14 days after the initial trauma.
What is the difference between a bruise and hematoma?
Bruises are also called contusions. Hematomas are similar to bruises, except they are more serious and symptoms develop much more rapidly. They are also larger, deeper and tend to have more significant swelling than a typical bruise. Hematomas in the head, face and abdomen can cause severe symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a head, face or abdomen trauma, we recommend visiting one of our clinics to avoid further complications.
Head
Intracranial hematomas may cause headaches, vomiting, nausea, slurred speech and confusion.
Face
Septal hematomas make the nose and area under the eyes swell and bruise. You may also experience nosebleeds or clear fluid draining from the nose.
Abdomen
Abdominal hematomas may not initially cause any symptoms but can lead to swelling, tenderness and pain.
When to get medical attention for a bruise
Bruises are typically surface injuries that heal on their own without medical attention, and people can treat them safely at home. However, if you suffer a more significant trauma or injury and have bruising that does not heal and disappear after 2 weeks, then it’s time to get medical attention.
You should see your doctor or visit a ConvenientMD urgent care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Frequent very large, very painful bruises
- Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb
- Swelling around the bruised skin
- Loss of function in the affected area (joint, limb or muscle)
- Increased size or density
- Lump under the bruise
- Pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days
- Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks
- Potential broken bone
- Trauma in the head or neck
- Vision impairment
- Unexplained or random bruising, especially in the abdomen, head, or trunk, as this may signal a problem with an internal organ
While the occasional bruise is not normally a cause for concern, easy bruising could be. If you notice more frequent or more serious bruising, talk to a medical professional, as they can help you diagnose and treat the root cause of your bruising.
If you need medical attention for your bruise, visit a ConvenientMD Urgent Care location near you for fast care!
